Student Spotlight - Adazia Mellott
Adazia Mellott is a senior at Geneva College majoring in nursing with a Spanish minor. She spent her last semester studying abroad in Ecuador with Living & Learning in order to experience both of her fields of study in an international setting.
Adazia says about the Living & Learning program that it, “is perfect because it allowed me to have an internship that went along with my capstone. Being in a Spanish-speaking country and a different culture entirely, I have improved my Spanish-speaking skills and cultural awareness a lot- it has been a great challenge."
Adazia was able to use her time abroad to work on her capstone project which focused on technology and how it relates to and impacts administering medicine. She was placed in a hospital for the internship portion of the Living & Learning program and came away with a wide variety of experiences and knowledge. Reflecting on her internship, she says that “the hospital…in Ecuador does not have the same technology, so I was curious how this impacted patient safety. Ecuador has a more relationship-based approach to care, and the lack of technology creates an environment where nurses spend more time with patients.” Adazia observed these relationships and studied how medications were being distributed. As a part of her placement, she was able to go to an Ecuadorian pharmacy and see the entire medication distribution process from beginning to end.
Adazia will apply her findings from her internship experience and the knowledge she gained throughout her time studying abroad with Living & Learning to her future career. After graduation, she will begin as a nurse on a medical-surgical general hospital floor at a hospital in Pittsburgh and hopes to transition to the ER after she’s gained more experience.
“I recommend studying abroad to anyone, it is really helpful. No matter where you are, you come across people from different cultures and who speak different languages. It helps you be more understanding toward others who may be having a hard time understanding or who are experiencing culture shock.”
Studying Abroad offers many benefits, many of which, Adazia experienced.
Here are just a few benefits of studying abroad:
Cultural immersion: Studying abroad provides a unique opportunity to experience different cultures, customs, and traditions. This experience can be invaluable in learning about different ways of living and broadening one's perspective.
Language acquisition: Studying abroad can also provide an opportunity to learn or improve language skills in a native-speaking environment. This can enhance communication skills, expand professional opportunities and add cultural awareness.
Personal growth: Living and studying in a foreign country can be challenging but it also provides great opportunities for personal growth. It encourages independence, adaptability, resilience, and the development of people skills.
Career prospects: Studying abroad can demonstrate to potential employers that a student has taken the initiative to experience different cultures and become fluent in different languages, along with earning an education in a specific field.
Networking: Studying abroad offers numerous chances to create networks that can come in handy in their personal and professional life in the future, with lifelong friendships, business connections, or mentors.
Interested in studying abroad?
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